Before & After Photos
Who are our former patients?
They are children, teens, adults, parents, grandparents. They are “Best Smile Award” winners in their schools (61 that we know of!); dental hygienists, dentists and their families; marathon runners, musicians and football players; dental students (yes, we inspired a few!); siblings of former patients, parents of former patients, and children of former patients; student council members, artists, good citizens…
We are so proud that they let us be a part of their lives and we love to hear what they are doing years later.
Adolescent Comprehensive
Comprehensive orthodontic treatment refers to having conventional braces, sometimes with another orthodontic appliance at the same time, when most of the permanent teeth have erupted. On average, this occurs at age 11-12. A patient who requires comprehensive treatment will only need this one stage of orthodontic treatment, which usually takes from 12 to 30 months.
These patients do not have severe bite problems or crowding that require early intervention. Or they may be patients who do have a severe bite problem, like a moderate to severe overbite, who are better suited at this age when they are going through a growth spurt that will aid in the correction of their overbite.
Adult
While most people associate orthodontic treatment with children and teenagers, adults can benefit from it as well. In fact, today about one-third of all orthodontic patients are adults. Less visible, as well as more comfortable braces, such as clear aligners, make treatment more appealing and convenient than ever.
Teeth can be orthodontically moved at any age, and our patients tell us that the positive impact on their appearance and self-esteem is unparalleled. In addition, orthodontic treatment is often needed in preparation for other restorative dental work such as implants or veneers. During the initial visit, we can discuss the treatment options available to you.
Its important that every patient, particularly an adult patient, be seen by their general dentist prior to starting orthodontic treatment.
Phase I
Phase I treatment is recommended for children who have moderate to severe bite problems, such as a cross-bite (the upper teeth fitting on the inside of the lower teeth), an under bite, or an open bite. It may be recommended for severely mal-aligned, or crowded, teeth.
One goal of Phase I treatment is to create a more favorable environment for the eruption of the permanent teeth. This will decrease the amount and complexity of treatment later, such as having to extract teeth.
Phase I treatment can include alteration of uncoordinated jaw-growth patterns, as many poor bites are related to the upper or lower jaw growing faster or slower than the other jaw. Early growth guidance treatment can help coordinate this jaw growth. This early correction may prevent surgical procedures to align the upper and lower jaws.
Two Phase
Most patients will require a second phase of treatment after the remainder of the permanent teeth erupt , although occasionally further treatment is not necessary. This later treatment (Phase II) will be shorter and less complex than what would have otherwise been necessary.
For example, the removal of permanent teeth may be avoided by having Phase I treatment. This second phase of treatment is often just to align all the teeth into a perfect position, or detail the bite—with the bulk of the correction being completed in the first phase.
Surgical
Surgical orthodontics is a combined treatment by an orthodontist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. This is done to correct jaw abnormalities such as too small or large of an upper or lower jaw or a combination of both. X-rays and models are taken to diagnose a patient’s particular problem.
The orthodontist initially straightens and aligns the teeth in the jaw bone. This can take six to twelve months depending on the severity of the problem. Then, the jaws are surgically positioned into a more normal position. This achieves, not only a functional improvement, but, an esthetic change of the face as well.
